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Thursday, 30 Jan 2014

Written Answers Nos. 138 - 144

Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding

Questions (138)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

138. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has given consideration for funding for Phase 2 of the north Leitrim regional supply scheme as applied for by Leitrim County Council in 2012; if his Department and officials have given consideration to this application under the headings of water conservation and waste water schemes. [4662/14]

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Written answers

The North Leitrim Regional Water Supply Scheme was included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 as a scheme to advance through planning.

My Department confirmed that the necessary funding was in place for an advance contract to provide additional high level storage at Cornalaghta Reservoir in July 2013 and works commenced on this contract towards the end of last year.

In late October 2013, Leitrim County Council submitted an application seeking the inclusion of the remaining two contracts for the scheme , the u pgrade of the existing Water Treatment Plant at Moneyduff and the extension to Rossinver and Kilticlogher, in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 as contracts to start. However, it was not possible for my Department to fully examine the Council’s submission prior to the transfer of responsibility for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure to Irish Water on 1 January 2014.

Irish Water is currently preparing its Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016 and this will provide for the transition of projects which were included in my Department’s 2010 - 2013 W ater S ervices I nvestment P rogramme .

Question No. 139 answered with Question No. 131.

Building Regulations Qualifications

Questions (140)

Clare Daly

Question:

140. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will revoke SI No. 9 relating to building regulations, due to come into effect on 1 March 2014, as the mandatory certification by an architect or similar professional will increase costs and will not improve standards, and instead to revert to the system of oversight by local authorities as enforcement action is the only way to avoid some of the appalling breaches of regulations that took place over the past number of years. [4673/14]

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Written answers

Local authorities have extensive powers of inspection and enforcement under the Fire Services Act 1981, the Building Control Act 1990 and the Planning and Development Acts and they have used such powers on a number of occasions in recent times in order to address instances of serious non-compliance with fire and safety requirements in homes and buildings.

These powers of inspection and enforcement are separate and distinct from the requirements of the Building Control Regulations which put in place the administrative arrangement by which owners, designers and builders are required to demonstrate their approach to achieving compliance with the Building Regulations.

The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 and I am satisfied that these will greatly strengthen the arrangements currently in place for the control of building activity, by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates. The new regulations are necessary following the widespread instances of failure by owners, designers and builders to comply with their statutory obligations under the Building Control Act 1990 to design and construct buildings in accordance with the building regulations.

The regulations will be administered electronically through a new online Building Control Management System which will enable building control authorities to undertake a risk analysis on each commencement notice received and to target their available resources towards building projects where the risk of failure to comply is highest.

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Questions (141)

John Lyons

Question:

141. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has any responsibility for testing and inspection of telephone and telecommunications masts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4683/14]

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Written answers

My Department has no role in the testing and inspection of telephone and telecommunication masts.

The Commission for Communications Regulation ( or ComReg ) is the statutory body responsible for regulation of the electronic communications sector and is the licensing authority for the use of the radio frequency spectrum in Ireland. Accordingly, persons owning or operating mobile telepho ne antennae must obtain a licenc e from ComReg.

Nitrates Usage

Questions (142)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

142. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the method by which dates are selected for the spreading of slurry; if these dates take the weather variation from year to year into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4734/14]

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Written answers

The Nitrates Directive and Ireland's National Nitrates Action Programme are given legal effect by the consolidated European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010. The objective of the Regulations is to protect ground and surface waters, including drinking water sources, primarily through the management of livestock manures and other fertilisers. In accordance with the requirements of the Nitrates Directive, the Regulations include provisions regarding periods when the land application of certain types of fertilisers is prohibited. In addition, the Regulations prohibit such application at any time of the year when the ground is frozen, waterlogged or when heavy rain is forecast. The closed periods in Ireland were decided following extensive consultation and were discussed with farming bodies and the European Commission when Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme was being introduced. They extend from 15 October to 12, 15 or 31 January depending on location in the country.

These provisions are underpinned by scientific advice and good agricultural practice. Scientific research carried out on a diverse range of farm and soil types as part of Teagasc’s on-going Agricultural Catchments Programme has provided further evidence in support of the efficacy of the land spreading closed season in reducing nutrient losses to waters. Good agricultural practice involves the application of fertilisers at a time when grass and other plants are growing actively in order to maximise the uptake of nutrients by crops and to minimise pollution to water. In this regard, the application of fertilisers at time of limited growth is not considered good farming practice and this has been the case long before the Regulations came into force in Ireland.

Flood Relief Schemes Applications

Questions (143)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

143. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he proposes to put in place to make funding available to Kerry County Council to make up the cost of repairing damage following the recent storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4741/14]

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Written answers

During the period from 13 December 2013 to 6 January 2014 Ireland was subjected to a series of severe storms, affecting the country roughly once every three days. In addition to the very strong winds, there were periods of extremely heavy rain and a lot of thunderstorm activity. These storms coincided with high spring tides and created severe and damaging conditions in a number of coastal areas.

On 14 January I brought an Interim Report to Government on the storms, compiled by my Department in its capacity as Lead Government Department for the response to severe weather.

At the request of Government, my Department is seeking more detailed reports from local authorities, to be provided within the next week, on the anticipated repair and recovery works, including related costings. This will enable Government, through the specific areas of responsibility of relevant Departments and Agencies, to support the local authorities on recovery measures.

Water Meters Expenditure

Questions (144)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

144. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that contractors appointed to install water meters in homes are being paid per meter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4747/14]

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Written answers

The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigned the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the metering programme.  The current water meter installation programme commenced in August 2013 and the approved budget for the programme is €539 million (excluding VAT) which includes the supply of materials and the installation work by contractors operating in eight regions.

Regional main contractors were appointed by Irish Water following a public tendering process. These contractors have responsibility for appointing sub-contractors who are responsible for recruiting suitably qualified staff to carry out the work. As part of their contract, details of the panel of subcontractors formed by my Department were provided to the regional main contractors.  The contractors may employ from that list, but are under no obligation to do so. The employment of subcontractors is a matter for each regional contractor. The management of the procurement process, including the payment structure to contractors, is a matter for Irish Water.

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